What information do you wish you had known starting out?

[LestersFlat]

All of this is good advice, especially for those of us just starting out.

The things that stand out to me as the best advice:

Dogs kill chickens. Unless your dogs were raised with chickens from the get-go, they are just waiting for their chance. My 14YO really slow, almost deaf, can't-see-too-much black lab just beheaded one of my 5WO chicks who happened to poke her head through the otherwise very secure dog crate where she was with the rest. For one second. There were screens on 3 sides, but they went crazy when he barked and her head got pushed out the side where there was no screen. I was right there, and thought they were safe. I was wrong.

Adult chickens don't need heat, but the babies do. Watch their behavior to make sure they are warm enough, even if they are in an enclosed space. Once they get their real feathers, they may still need heat...pay attention.

The one thing I still need to know is how to increase my flock without causing undue stress to the existing girls and roo. Luckily our coop is big enough, but I am afraid of bringing the kids in and leaving them unattended, even at night.

Which leads me to the best thing of all that I learned on this forum: Don't overthink your chickens. It is the signature for someone on here, and truly the best advice I have received.

I'm working on it.

 

[BaabyBoo1998]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/640840/i-need-help-noow-please

Please Help!!!! I need advice like, NOW!!

 

[brewdaddy]

>>dogs kill chickens

I keep trying to remind my wife of that fact when we are frequently babysitting her idiot mom's yellow lab ('idiot' applies to both the mom and the dog).... although I made a 'rule' about it otherwise, they think nothing of letting that **** dog loose in the backyard when the hens are out and about...

Sure, so far it hasn't been a problem, but I know it's just a matter of time...

 

[LestersFlat]

Are there trees where the hens can jump up and hide? That has saved my big girls so far from the 2 wandering pooches...

BTW, we can't blame the dogs for being able to, or wanting to kill chickens. It's their nature, they don't know any better unless they are trained to respect them as part of the family. My sweet wonderful lab (who is definitely not an idiot!) had to be trained for a few months both times we brought a kitten into the house. He would have just as happily beheaded them as well.

I blame myself!

 

[nh104]

I wish I knew how well vasoline can keep scaly leg mite under control. Totally cured some really bad legs for me without poisens.

I want to know the best way to clean eggs to preserve them.

i was told it can also can keep frostbite off their heads in the colder regions

 

[cpaggetti]

I just purchased 7 chicks this past Sunday. I purchased them from a farm supply co-op and was shocked to be sent home with 7 chicks and absolutely NO information about what to do to keep them alive, safe, etc. I was told to get bedding, grain and chicken scratch and that it should be a 50/50 split between the two. I was also told I should get them home within 1 hour and that the heat lamp should already be on (which is was not).

All 7 chicks seem to be doing very well in spite of this humble beginning.

We have our chicks in an old garage cupboard with one door removed with chicken wire over it, heat lamp over that area. Other door is still on and serves as a way to put water and feed in and remove the chicks for visiting. We don't handle the chicks except to take them out and put them back. We let them run around the room for about 10 minutes twice a day which they seem to enjoy. The Buff Orpington seems to be the friendliest and the Silver-laced Wyandotte the least friendly.

Sylvie the Black Sexlink is large (older) than the others and is trying to fly around the small cupboard (about 4' by 3.5'). This one may be a week or more old. When do you clip their wings? I am concerned she will hurt herself or another chick.

Other questions we had:

What type should we get? For us, egg laying and entertainment and interest in different types of chickens is about equal. This is a good question for those interested in having chickens to ask themselves.

How to keep the chicks (we chose an old cupboard)

How often to change the water (it gets warm to hot under the heat lamp)

Do you need chicken scratch and if so, what percentage to add to feed? Is it 50/50?

Should you take your chicks out and spend time with them (individually or in twos or threes). Should you hold/pet them?

The way they sleep makes them look like they are sick or dying. It would have been nice to know that they flop down and their little heads just fall into the bedding (face-first).

They pester and peck at each other which concerned me at first but I guess it is normal. They also eat other's poop; disgusting.

Is there anyway to tell if you truly have purchased a hen?

What is an inexpensive yet decent looking chicken coop? How soon do you move the chicks. Should you put them outside in current home before moving them out into the coop area (hardening off chicks, lol)?

Should you introduce your cats to the chicks in a safe manner? I did as the cats seems curious about the new noise. Now, none of the cats seem very interested in them. We keep the door to this bedroom closed so the cats cannot get in.

Is there a special type of heat lamp you should have? How far above the chicks should it be placed? We move it down a little at night because the room is cooler and we noticed that they were all huddled under it. In the day, I move it up just a little as they seemed to be avoiding that area just below it.

Anatomy of a chicken would be good to know.

How fast will they grow? Will they need more space before heading outdoors?

Can we put the chicken coop in with our female alpacas? This would be the safest place for their coop at this time as it has 6' no climb fencing.

Thanks and I hope my questions/comments are helpful and not outdated! One of the chicks found an earwig and the other 6 chicks chased her around the pen for 2-3 minutes. I nearly wet my pants laughing.

 

[Queen of the chickens]

I wish I knew how well vasoline can keep scaly leg mite under control. Totally cured some really bad legs for me without poisens.

I want to know the best way to clean eggs to preserve them.

I haven been researching this and it really depends a lot on who you ask. Your county extension office will likely advise collecting eggs two or three times a day, washing them in running water that is 20 degrees warmer than the egg's temperature, drying before storing, and always keeping in the fridge. They would also tell you to discard heavily soiled eggs and use a fresh egg carton. Some will even suggest a mild bleach solution. If you ask someone who likes a more "natural" approach, they will say to collect your eggs daily, discard heavily soiled eggs, use a dry sanding sponge to remove dirt from the egg and avoid getting the egg wet to prevent washing off the natural bloom. Many will dismiss the need to refrigerate eggs and say that you can keep them on the counter for a week. I have taken the middle ground. I do not wash any that do not appear soiled. If needed I will wipe with a Magic Eraser and rinse under warm water if needed. If washed, I allow them to dry before refrigerating. I only leave out eggs that I personally will use. All other eggs get placed in a carton, dated and put in the fridge. I'm not sure it's the "best" way, but it seems to have worked so far.

 

[Chickiedancer]

Hi, just discovered BYC, am reading the suggestions for class ideas. One huge problem I've had with our coop is mice. I covered the inside with that plastic shower stall stuff so I could clean it. The mice just chewed through and now I don't know how much of the insulation is left. I have hardware cloth and sheet metal patches but they just chew around them. Aack!

 

[ButchGood]

The thing I wish someone would have told me is "Build Bigger". As I was doing my coop and run calculations I decided to go just a hair bigger for the birds comfort alone. But I wasn't accounting for the addictive factor. As I was putting together my 8.5 X 8.5 coop, I wish someone would have said, "Hold On! You need a 17X17. Im looking at all the wonderful breeds out there and want to really mix it up. But I have no room. I could add another 2 or 3 but then I would take away from that "comfort factor I built in for my existing birds. I only have 2 differrent breeds at the moment (Buff Orps and Australorps) Maybe I could do some trading!

 

[ButchGood]

I haven been researching this and it really depends a lot on who you ask. Your county extension office will likely advise collecting eggs two or three times a day, washing them in running water that is 20 degrees warmer than the egg's temperature, drying before storing, and always keeping in the fridge. They would also tell you to discard heavily soiled eggs and use a fresh egg carton. Some will even suggest a mild bleach solution. If you ask someone who likes a more "natural" approach, they will say to collect your eggs daily, discard heavily soiled eggs, use a dry sanding sponge to remove dirt from the egg and avoid getting the egg wet to prevent washing off the natural bloom. Many will dismiss the need to refrigerate eggs and say that you can keep them on the counter for a week. I have taken the middle ground. I do not wash any that do not appear soiled. If needed I will wipe with a Magic Eraser and rinse under warm water if needed. If washed, I allow them to dry before refrigerating. I only leave out eggs that I personally will use. All other eggs get placed in a carton, dated and put in the fridge. I'm not sure it's the "best" way, but it seems to have worked so far.

I was watching a show called' "Preppers" on NatGeo. One lady was rubbing the eggs with oil. I think a mineral oil, but I'll have to research it before I try it. But the eggs would last for months stored in a pantry or any cool dry place. She was feeding people 9 month old eggs with no ill effects at a "Prepper Party". Interesting.